Monday, September 1, 2008

Best post I’ve read about the issue of experience in this presidential campaign...

This is true. If we wish to compare political resumes, Sen. Obama's is Chester A. Arthur-thin (though Arthur turned out to be a dedicated reformer who turned against his political patrons). And the attacks on Palin could very quickly put the Democrats in the double standard trap, not to mention opening them to charges of sexism.

Personally, I tend to look upon those with life-long political resumes with suspicion. Have they done nothing else with their lives besides eat rubber chicken and kiss babies (and chase earmarks)? If anything, political experience is often the last characteristic we should look for in a president. Some of the best had very little at all -- Lincoln had but a single House term under his belt yet managed to navigate the nation through its greatest crisis. It was Jefferson Davis who had the long political career.